Former Punjab fovernor Salmaan Taseer is still “governor,” according to the official website of the Governor of Punjab. Taseer was assassinated six months ago on January 4, 2011 and the lingering presence on the official website speaks volumes about the incompetence of the Governor House’s IT Department.
The website which can still be reached at, http://www.governorpunjab.gov.pk/index.html opens with the message, “Welcome to Official Website of The Governor Punjab.” While Sardar Latif Khosa took oath as the Governor of Punjab on January 13th, but Governor House IT department has proven itself lethargic, to say the least.
As the Governor Punjab is also the chancellor of Punjab’s universities, several varsity website carried Salmaan Taseer image several days after his assassination before replacing it with Sardar Latif Khosa’s image. However, the Governor’s official website still carries his image and profile. This is a continuation in the long chain of inefficient government IT department but six months without an update leaves citizens gasping at whether there is anyone managing the current Punjab Governor’s website.
Ex Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Governor House, Asim told Pakistan Today that the governor house website was developed by him and his team with the special interest of the deceased Salmaan Taseer. He said that the Governor Punjab was less concerned about his image in newspaper but stressed on the PR department to focus on the website.
It is pertinent to mention here that Governor Punjab, Sardar Latif Khosa has also remained advisor of the Prime Minister on Information Technology (IT) but has shown little interest in maintaining his own website..
Sources also revealed that the current Governor’s media team was neither active nor competent, and the current PRO Ishtiaq lacked experience.
Punjab’s citizens have reason to be concerned and expressed their displeasure claiming these lapses can be embarrassing. Citizen Mudassir Jamil claimed that he was left in a state of shock after visiting the Punjab Governor’s official website since he did not anticipate such inefficiency the Governor’s team. He said that the Punjab Government was quick to remove assassinated Governor Salmaan Taseer’s profile from their website due to rivalry but the new governor himself had not taken interest in the matter.
“It is a poor reflection on the Governor’s team of advisors,” he said.
